Big Time Sarah
(born January 31, 1953)
Born in Coldwater, Mississippi, Sarah Streeter was raised in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of alcoholic parents and sought community in a local church, developing her musical talent in its gospel choir. At age 14, Sarah began singing blues at the Morgan's Lounge Club, and in the 1970s she played with musicians such as Magic Slim, Buddy Guy, The Aces, Junior Wells, Johnny Bernard, and Erwin Helfer. She gained her nickname, "Big Time Sarah,” from a wish she had early in her career. When she began touring in the mid-1970s, Streeter was convinced she would make the "big time," becoming a blues sensation by delivering a million-selling album and then a film star. Dubbed "The Shaker" for her trademark moving and shaking as she struts across the stage, Streeter became renowned for giving audiences a performance ranging from the sentimental to the sexy. Her experience playing with Sunnyland Slim led to her first solo release, a single released on his label, Airways Records. Teamed with Zora Young and Bonnie Lee in 'Blues with the Girls', Sarah toured Europe in 1982 and recorded an album in Paris, France. From 1989 she performed with a group called The Big Time Express. Since 1993, she has recorded for Delmark Records. Though she has not yet made a million-dollar hit, blues fans might find "Big Time" Sarah performing at a North Side Chicago club or at a blues festival in the United States or Europe.